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Author Topic: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT  (Read 4782 times)

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Offline zephyr

  • Member
  • Posts: 457
    • Zephyr L.T.N.P. Foundation, Inc.
Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« on: September 05, 2006, 03:54:19 pm »
Hi Folks,

Ran across something very important last night and wanted to share it with all of you.

"AIDS can be found in truly every country of the world. The response virtually everywhere has been the same - first to deny that AIDS exists, then to say it only affects 'other people' --foreignors, 'deviants', 'sinners'. Governments have failed to respond quickly, proactively, and to adopt policies which are effective and which respect human rights. How many millions of people will have become needlessly infected because governments delayed providing honest information on AIDS? Or refused to allow needle exchanges? Or prohibited condom distribution to youth, or even sex workers?

Unfortunately, we can't ask this question in the past tense - it's still the case in too many countries: How many more millions of people need to die?"

Author unknown, from Human Rights Watch

My best,

Zephyr
"It is character that communicates most eloquently."

Offline pozguy75

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  • Posts: 1,239
    • POZitively Speaking
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2006, 04:02:11 pm »
As a self described deviant...here, here!!

Thanks for sharing auntie!! This is so true, so true, and it is happening right here in our own back yard...we can have commercials for Viagra, but nothing about a condom...sad...simply sad!
Dx 2005
ATRIPLA

Offline Moffie65

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,755
  • Living POZ since 1983
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2006, 04:57:17 pm »
Hi Sweetie,

Thanks for bringing this here, it is so nice to see that Human Rights Watch is on top of the HIV news and the lack of same.

Keep on keeping on, and we are marching this path together, so we can help stomp out ignorance each and every day.  Thankfully, you understand and are doing a stellar job at learning this work..  Keep up the good work and keep us posted on what is happening in your world,

Thanks and Love. 
The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals,
and 362 to heterosexuals.
This doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals,
It's just that they need more supervision.
Lynn Lavne

Offline Eldon

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  • Posts: 2,664
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2006, 11:17:02 pm »
Hello Zephyr,

Marvelous work I must say. i was reading on the Human Rights website and I'd thought I would share this link with you all: http://www.humanrightswatch.org/doc/?t=hivaids_news



Have the BEST Day!

Offline fearless

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  • Posts: 2,191
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2006, 11:55:55 pm »
For all our problems down here in Aus we are at least generally a fairly pragmatic bunch.

In the late 80's we had the 'grim-reaper' television advertising campaign which rammed home loud and clear that HIV/AIDS can and does affect everyone, men, women and children. It's scared the hell out of a lot of people but it jolted any complacency out of the community and I bet saved countless lives.

We have needle exchange programs and condom giveaways. In sex on premises venues there are condoms and lube in each public and private area and lots of posters, signs etc espousing the safe sex message. In fact, they threaten to remove you if you are found having unsafe sex.

Just around the corner from where I live, there is a wall mounted syringe dispenser for drug users. Pop a coin in and out comes a couple of fits, distilled water, and condoms and lube. A 'party pack' for those so inclined.

About 1km up the road there is a medically supervised safe injecting room where addicts can go and shoot up in safety with trained medical staff on hand to assist if anything goes wrong. The number of people dying from drug overdoses has fallen as a result.

These programs are not universally supported, far from it, but so far pragmatism has won the day. Fingers crossed it continues to do so. As one life lost unnecessarily is one life too many.

Steve
Be forgiving, be grateful, be optimistic

Offline zephyr

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  • Posts: 457
    • Zephyr L.T.N.P. Foundation, Inc.
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2006, 02:09:56 am »
Thanks, Gentlemen...

And Stevie, what is happening in your country sounds like INTELLIGENT, HUMANE REASONING to me, apparently something woefully lacking in our United States of America.

Yes, I'm picking my battles alright. The experience I had at the IAC certainly opened my eyes.

Appreciate the input!

My best,

Zephyr
"It is character that communicates most eloquently."

Offline uberk9

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2006, 02:55:18 am »
In sex on premises venues there are condoms and lube in each public and private area and lots of posters, signs etc espousing the safe sex message. In fact, they threaten to remove you if you are found having unsafe sex.

I'd heartily agree with you on all points bar this... Headquarters for example is known quite well as a barebacking joint... with organised barebacking parties rocking up for a night of fun.. (not organised by the business)

i'm not sure about the policy of other SOPVs, or the monitoring behaviors, but about HQ, i've heard bb being both praised and condemned

Pup

Offline GSOgymrat

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,122
  • HIV+ since 1993. Relentlessly gay.
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2006, 08:43:08 am »
I'm not sure that lack of education is the problem in the US when it comes to HIV infection. How many people on this forum who contracted HIV through sexual contact had no idea that sex without a condom transmitted HIV? I certainly knew all about safer sex, yet here I am. I think a lot of people, especially people under 30, have a "It won't happen to me" mindset. That wasn't the way I felt but I think many people feel that way when it comes to HIV, cancer and other scary things. There is obviously more to this problem then making sure everyone has access to condoms and knows that unprotected sex can lead to HIV infection.

Offline HIVworker

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  • Posts: 918
  • HIV researcher
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2006, 09:12:28 am »
Zeph,

Lovely post.

I got to ask you guys something. Someone I know asked why there were so many HIV activists and why were they more vociferous than cancer activists, for example.

I told him that HIV was an ignored disease for at 10 years even in America and it took the actions of a few good people to get people to even talk about it.

So while we discuss HIV/AIDS and civil rights, someone point out to this guy why we need such a thing in this day and age. I'll make sure he reads it....

Thanks,

Rich
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline ndrew

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  • Posts: 695
  • ....-.-.-.-.-.....
Re: Lest We Forget (Or: HIV/AIDS = NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2006, 09:44:59 am »
Hi,

I agree, it is more than just wearing a condom, it goes to a core of issues from self-esteem, to homophobia, to drug use, to fear and denial.  I think education is a huge part of stopping HIV infection, but we need to work on issues from homophobia to the stigmatizing of those who are positive.  If we make people feel there is nothing to be ashamed of and that it is a manageable disease, perhaps there will be less denial, more testing, a knowledge of status and healthy choices.  We need to discuss how FEAR factors in to this equation.

The stigma of HIV/AIDS, homophobia and the inability to talk honesty about sex in society works against prevention, especially for young gay men.  Gay relationships have no social support, take the gay marriage issue for instance, our society primes individuals for these kinds of relationships and then we deny them to a segment of our people who may really want them along with all the benefits they entail.  This homophobic practice creates unnecessary pain and suffering.  We must also preserve the freedom for individuals who may have many partners a year, as well as those interested in monogamy with tactics of how to care for themselves and their partners.  A safe sex, a caring sex.  A freedom to as much healthy pleasure as one desires...

So I agree, it is a civil rights issue.  We demand the right to knowledge, to respect, to understanding, to love and form legal, socially accepted relationships, to support one another, to feel good about the wonderful people that we are, to a safe, healthy bodily freedom, to pursue a life, liberty and happiness without the stigma of fear, ignorance and stupidity of moralizing fools.

In a democracy, we are all activists, we all have the responsibility to actively form our government and society.  We are not to be dictated to, we have a voice.

With care and support,
Drew

 


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